There’s a very easy way to write this review. I could just say ‘if you like melodic punk rock, buy this album’ and be done with it. because let’s face it, if you’re a fan of melodic punk rock in a Only Crime meets Alkaline Trio kinda way, you’ll love Smoke or Fire. Lots of catchy pop songs dressed up with punk rock overtones, this is 12-tracks of punk rock joy.
It doesn’t break new ground by any means, but tracks like ‘The Patty Hearst Syndrome’ and ‘Shine’ and ‘Little Bohemia’ are excellent too. Back in the day, No Use For A Name were one of fat Wreck’s flagship bands for this kind of thing. For me, Smoke or Fire have taken up their mantle and stolen the crown. As someone said on the Punktastic forums, this album is “catchy as syphillis in Paris Hilton’s bedroom”. Couldn’t have said it better myself…